Patent Application
20250223744
The present disclosure relates to a clothes treating apparatus including a drying device, and a method for controlling thereof.
A clothes treating apparatus is a device for treating and/or managing clothes. The clothes treating apparatus may include a washing machine and a dryer. The washing machine may include a washer-dryer combination.
The washer-dryer combination is a device that uses a driving force of a driving motor to agitate laundry, water, and detergent, which are put into a tub together, so as to wash the laundry through mutual friction.
Operations performed by the washer-dryer combination may include a washing operation in which detergent and water are supplied to the tub storing the laundry and the laundry is rotated while the drum is rotated, a rinsing operation in which water is supplied to the tub and the drum is rotated to rinse the laundry, and a spin-drying operation in which water is discharged from the tub and the drum is rotated to remove moisture from the laundry.
The operations performed by the washer-dryer combination may include a drying operation in which the laundry is dried by blowing heated air generated from a drying device into a space containing the laundry. The washer-dryer combination may include the drying device to perform the drying operation.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus capable of more accurately detecting a vibration generated in the clothes treating apparatus.
The present disclosure is directed to providing a clothes treating apparatus having easy maintenance and/or repair of components.
Technical tasks to be achieved in this document are not limited to the technical tasks mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.
Aspects of embodiments of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a clothes treating apparatus includes a housing including a laundry inlet, a tub in the housing to store washing water, a drying device above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub by heating the discharged air, and to supply the heated air to the tub, a first sensor coupled to an upper right end of the housing to detect a vibration of the housing, and a second sensor coupled to the tub to detect a vibration of the tub.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a clothes treating apparatus includes a housing in which a laundry inlet is formed, a tub disposed in the housing and provided to store washing water, a drum disposed inside the tub to be rotatable, a drying device disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub, and configured to supply heated air to the tub, a first sensor disposed in the housing to detect a vibration generated from the drum and transmitted to the housing or a vibration generated from the drying device and transmitted to the housing; and a first sensor bracket in which the first sensor is mounted, the first sensor bracket fixed to a front end at an upper end of the housing.
These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.
Various embodiments of the disclosure and terms used herein are not intended to limit the technical features described herein to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, or substitutions of the corresponding embodiments.
In describing of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related elements.
The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items unless clearly indicated otherwise in a related context.
In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Terms such as “1st”, “2nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).
When an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “(functionally or communicatively) coupled” or “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the first element may be connected to the second element, directly (e.g., wired), wirelessly, or through a third element.
It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.
When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.
It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.
A washing machine according to various embodiments may perform washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and drying processes. The washing machine is an example of a clothes treating apparatus, and the clothes treating apparatus is a concept including a device capable of washing clothes (objects to be washed, and objects to be dried), a device capable of drying clothes, and a device capable of washing and drying clothes.
The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a top-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet for inserting or removing laundry is provided to face upward, or a front-loading washing machine in which a laundry inlet is provided to face forward. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine of a loading type other than the top-loading washing machine and the front-loading washing machine.
For the top-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed using water current generated by a rotating body such as a pulsator. For the front-loading washing machine, laundry may be washed by repeatedly lifting and lowering laundry by rotating a drum. The front-loading washing machine may include a dryer combined washing machine capable of drying laundry stored in a drum. The dryer combined washing machine may include a hot air supply device for supplying high-temperature air into the drum and a condensing device for removing moisture from air discharged from the drum. For example, the dryer combined washing machine may include a heat pump device. The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a washing machine using a washing method other than the above-described washing method.
The washing machine according to various embodiments may include a housing accommodating various components therein. The housing may be provided in the form of a box including a laundry inlet on one side thereof.
The washing machine may include a door for opening and closing the laundry inlet. The door may be rotatably mounted to the housing by a hinge. At least a portion of the door may be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing to be visible.
The washing machine may include a tub disposed within the housing to store water. The tub may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening formed on one side thereof. The tub may be disposed inside the housing in such a way that the tub opening corresponds to the laundry inlet.
The tub may be connected to the housing by a damper. The damper may absorb vibration generated when the drum rotates, and the damper may reduce vibration transmitted to the housing.
The washing machine may include a drum provided to accommodate laundry.
The drum may be disposed inside the tub such that a drum opening provided on one side of the drum corresponds to the laundry inlet and the tub opening. Laundry may pass sequentially through the laundry inlet, the tub opening, and the drum opening and then be received in the drum or removed from the drum.
The drum may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying while rotating in the tub. A plurality of through holes may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum to allow water stored in the tub to be introduced into or to be discharged from the drum.
The washing machine may include a driving device configured to rotate the drum. The driving device may include a drive motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the drive motor to the drum. The rotating shaft may penetrate the tub to be connected to the drum.
The driving device may perform respective operations according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying processes by rotating the drum in a forward or reverse direction.
The washing machine may include a water supply device configured to supply water to the tub. The water supply device may include a water supply pipe and a water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe. The water supply pipe may be connected to an external water supply source. The water supply pipe may extend from an external water supply source to a detergent supply device and/or the tub. Water may be supplied to the tub through the detergent supply device. Alternatively, water may be supplied to the tub without passing through the detergent supply device.
The water supply valve may open or close the water supply pipe in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valve may allow or block the supply of water to the tub from an external water supply source. The water supply valve may include a solenoid valve configured to open or close in response to an electrical signal.
The washing machine may include the detergent supply device configured to supply detergent to the tub. The detergent supply device may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to enter detergent to be used for each washing, and an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during washing. The detergent supply device may include a detergent container for storing detergent. The detergent supply device may be configured to supply detergent into the tub during a water supply process. Water supplied through the water supply pipe may be mixed with detergent via the detergent supply device. Water mixed with detergent may be supplied into the tub. Detergent is used as a term including detergent for pre-washing, detergent for main washing, fabric softener, bleach, etc., and the detergent container may be partitioned into a storage region for the pre-washing detergent, a storage region for the main washing detergent, a storage region for the fabric softener, and a storage region for the bleach.
The washing machine may include a drainage device configured to discharge water contained in the tub to the outside. The drainage device may include a drain pipe extending from a bottom of the tub to the outside of the housing, a drain valve disposed on the drain pipe to open or close the drain pipe, and a pump disposed on the drain pipe. The pump may pump water from the drain pipe to the outside of the housing.
The washing machine may include a control panel disposed on one side of the housing. The control panel may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the washing machine. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal.
The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one output interface may visually or audibly transmit information related to the operation of the washing machine to a user.
For example, the at least one output interface may transmit information related to a washing course, operation time of the washing machine, and washing/rinsing/spin-drying settings to the user. Information about the operation of the washing machine may be output via a screen, an indicator, or a voice. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or a speaker.
The washing machine may include a communication module for wired and/or wireless communication with an external device.
The communication module may include at least one of a short-range wireless communication module and a long-range wireless communication module.
The communication module may transmit data to an external device (e.g., a server, a user device, and/or a home appliance) or receive data from the external device. For example, the communication module may establish communication with a server and/or a user device and/or a home appliance, and transmit and receive various types of data.
For the communication, the communication module may establish a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the external devices, and support the performance of the communication through the established communication channel. According to an embodiment, the communication module may include a wireless communication module (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module, or a power line communication module). Among these communication modules, the corresponding communication module may communicate with an external device through a first network (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network such as Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or a second network (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network such as a legacy cellular network, a 5G network, a next-generation communication network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be integrated as a single component (e.g., a single chip) or implemented as a plurality of separate components (e.g., multiple chips).
The short-range wireless communication module may include a Bluetooth communication module, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module, a near field communication module, a WLAN (Wi-Fi) communication module, and a Zigbee communication module, an IrDA communication module, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication module, an ultrawideband (UWB) communication module, an Ant+ communication module, a microwave (uWave) communication module, etc., but is not limited thereto.
The long-range wireless communication module may include a communication module that performs various types of long-range wireless communication, and may include a mobile communication circuitry. The mobile communication circuitry transmits and receives radio signals with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network.
According to an embodiment, the communication module may communicate with an external device such as a server, a user device and other home appliances through an access point (AP). The AP may connect a LAN, to which a washing machine or a user device is connected, to a WAN to which a server is connected. The washing machine or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN. The controller may control various components of the washing machine (e.g., the drive motor, and the water supply valve). The controller may control various components of the washing machine to perform at least one operation including water supply, washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying according to a user input. For example, the controller may control the drive motor to adjust the rotational speed of the drum or control the water supply valve of the water supply device to supply water to the tub.
The controller may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the controller may include at least one memory for storing an algorithm and program-type data for controlling the operation of components in the washing machine, and at least one processor configured to perform the above-mentioned operation by using the data stored in the at least one memory. The memory and the processor may each be implemented as separate chips. The processor may include one or more processor chips or may include one or more processing cores. The memory may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as a single chip.
Hereinafter a clothes treating apparatus according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings. Hereinafter a washer-dryer combination will be described as an example of a clothes treating apparatus, but the present disclosure is not limited to the washer-dryer combination, and may be applied to various devices for treating and/or managing clothes.
In the following detailed description, the terms of “front side”, “rear side”, “left side”, “right side” and the like may be defined by the drawings, but the shape and the location of the element is not limited by the term.
For example, the X-axis direction may be defined as the front and rear direction, the Y-axis direction may be defined as the left and right direction, and the Z-axis direction may be defined as the up and down direction.
Referring to
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a laundry door 17 for opening and closing the laundry inlet 11. The laundry door 17 may be rotatably mounted to the housing 10 by a hinge. At least a portion of the laundry door 17 may be provided to be transparent or translucent to allow the inside of the housing 10 to be visible. For example, the laundry door 17 may include tempered glass.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a lower door 18 configured to provide access to a lower detergent supply device 60. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include an upper door 19 configured to provide access to an upper detergent supply device 50 and a filter 95.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a tub 20 disposed inside the housing 10 to store water. The tub 20 may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a tub opening 21 formed on one side, and may be arranged inside the housing 10 to allow the tub opening 21 to correspond to the laundry inlet 11. The tub opening 21 may be disposed to face substantially forward.
The tub 20 may be connected to the housing 10 by a damper 25. The damper 25 may absorb a vibration, which is generated when the drum 30 rotates, and attenuate the vibration transmitted to the housing 10.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drum 30 provided to accommodate laundry. At least one lifter 33 may be provided inside the drum 30 to perform washing by raising and falling the laundry.
The drum 30 may be disposed inside the tub 20 to allow a drum opening 31, which is disposed on one side, to correspond to the laundry inlet 11 and the tub opening 21. Laundry may be accommodated inside the drum 30 or taken out from the drum 30 by passing through the laundry inlet 11, the tub opening 21 and the drum opening 31 in sequence. The drum opening 31 may be disposed to face substantially forward.
The drum 30 may perform each operation according to washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying processes while rotating inside the tub 20. A plurality of through-holes 32 may be formed in a cylindrical wall of the drum 30 to allow water stored in the tub 20 to flow into the inside of the drum 30 or flow out to the outside of the drum 30.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a driving device 36 configured to rotate the drum 30. The driving device 36 may include a driving motor and a rotating shaft for transmitting a driving force generated by the driving motor to the drum 30. The rotating shaft may pass through the tub 20 and be connected to the drum 30.
The driving device 36 may rotate the drum 30 forward or backward to perform each operation according to the washing, rinsing, and/or spin-drying, or drying process.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a water supply device 40 configured to supply water to the tub 20. The water supply device 40 may include water supply valves 41 and 42 provided to be connected to an external water source. For example, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may include a hot water valve 41 for supplying hot water and a cold water valve 42 for supplying cold water.
The water supply device 40 may include water supply pipes 43 and 44. The water supply pipe 43 and 44 may be connected to the water supply valves 41 and 42. For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may be provided as a hose or pipe formed of a flexible material.
For example, the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include a hot water pipe 43 connected to the hot water valve 41 and a cold water pipe 44 connected to the cold water valve 42. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may guide water from the water supply valves 41 and 42 to the tub 20. At least one of the water supply pipes 43 and 44 may extend from water supply valves 41 and 42 to the tub 20. Water may be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 by passing through the tub 20. Water may also be supplied to the lower detergent supply device 60 without passing through the tub 20.
The water supply valves 41 and 42 may open or close the water supply pipes 43 and 44 in response to an electrical signal from a controller. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may allow or block the supply of water from an external water source to the tub 20. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be a solenoid valve configured to open and close in response to an electrical signal.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include the detergent supply devices 50 and 60 configured to supply detergent to the tub 20. The detergent supply devices 50 and 60 may include the upper detergent supply device 50 and the lower detergent supply device 60. The detergent may be used as a term encompassing pre-wash detergent, main wash detergent, fabric softener, bleach, and the like.
The upper detergent supply device 50 may be disposed in an upper portion of the tub 20. The upper detergent supply device 50 may be disposed above the tub 20 with respect to the up and down direction. The upper detergent supply device 50 may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to add detergent to be used for each wash, or an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during the wash. The upper detergent supply device 50 may be connected to the tub 20 through a detergent connection pipe 51. For example, the upper detergent supply device 50 may be configured to supply solid detergent and/or fabric softener to the tub 20. However, the type of detergent is not limited to the above-described example.
The lower detergent supply device 60 may be disposed in a lower portion of the tub 20. The lower detergent supply device 60 may be disposed under the tub 20 with respect to the up and down direction. The lower detergent supply device 60 may include a manual detergent supply device that requires a user to add detergent to be used for each wash, or an automatic detergent supply device that stores a large amount of detergent and automatically adds a predetermined amount of detergent during the wash. For example, the lower detergent supply device 60 may be configured to supply liquid detergent and/or fabric softener to the tub 20. However, the type of detergent is not limited to the above-described example.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drainage device 70 configured to discharge water contained in the tub 20 to the outside. The drainage device 70 may include a drain pump 71 for discharging water in the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a circulation pump 76 for circulating water of the tub 20 to the tub 20 through the lower detergent supply device 60.
The drainage device 70 may be connected to the tub 20 through a tub connection pipe 72. The drainage device 70 may discharge water of the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10 through a drain pipe 73.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a control panel 15 arranged on one side of the housing 10. The control panel 15 may provide a user interface for interaction between a user and the clothes treating apparatus 1. The user interface may include at least one input interface and at least one output interface.
The at least one input interface may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal. The at least one input interface may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The at least one input interface may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The at least one output interface may visually or audibly convey information related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to a user. For example, the at least one output interface may convey information related to a washing course and an operating time of the clothes treating apparatus 1, and washing settings/rinsing settings/spin-drying settings to a user. The information related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus may be output by a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc. The at least one output interface may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a drying device 80 for drying laundry accommodated inside the drum 30. The drying device 80 may be configured to heat air and supply the heated air to the inside of the tub 20. The drying device 80 may be configured to dry and heat air discharged from the tub 20 and circulate the dried and heated air into the inside of the tub 20 to dry clothes inside the drum 30. The drying device 80 according to various embodiments may be disposed above the tub 20.
The drying device 80 may include a drying case 81 in which a heat pump for drying air may be installed. The drying case 81 may include a drying base 81a and a drying cover 81b coupled to the drying base 81a and provided to form a path through which air may move. The drying cover 81b may cover an open upper surface of the drying base 81a.
Referring to
The drying device 80 according to various embodiments may be configured in the heat pump technology. The drying device 80 may include a compressor 91, a condenser 92, an evaporator 93, an expansion valve, and a refrigerant pipe 94 through which a refrigerant circulates. The compressor 91, the condenser 92, the evaporator 93, etc., which forms the heat pump, may be disposed in the drying case 81. For example, the drying device 80 may include a cooling fan 91a for cooling the compressor 91. For example, the drying device 80 may be mounted as a single module.
The compressor 91 may compress a refrigerant, and the compressed high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant may move to the condenser 92. The condenser 92 may cool the refrigerant so as to heat the surrounding air. The heated air may be introduced into the inside of the drum 30 to dry clothes.
The refrigerant that is expanded by passing through the expansion valve may absorb heat in the evaporator 93 and cool the surrounding air. That is, the evaporator 93 may cool the high temperature and humidity air, which passes through the inside of the drum 30, and remove moisture from the air. The air, from which moisture is removed, may pass through the condenser 92 and may be heated again while exchanging heat with the refrigerant passing through the condenser 92. That is, the condenser 92 may heat the air that passes through the evaporator 93. The condenser 92 and the evaporator 93 may be referred to as a heat exchanger.
For example, the drying device 80 may further include a drying heater 99. The drying heater 99 may increase the drying efficiency of the drying device 80. For example, the drying device 80 may replace heat pump components with the drying heater 99.
The drying heater 99 may heat the air flowing into the inside of the drying device 80. The drying heater 99 may be disposed in a heating flow path 86. The drying heater 99 may be disposed downstream from the condenser 92 along a flow of air passing through the drying device 80. In addition, the drying heater 99 may be provided in a relatively small size so as to minimize a path resistance. For example, the drying heater 99 may be a sheath heater.
The drying device 80 according to various embodiments may be disposed on the upper side of the tub 20. An inlet flow path 85 through which air discharged from the tub 20 is introduced may be formed in the drying device 80. The heating flow path 86 for exchanging heat with air flowing into the drying device 80 through the inlet flow path 85 may be formed in the drying device 80. A supply flow path 87 through which air, which is heat-exchanged by passing through the heating flow path 86, is supplied to the tub 20 may be formed in the drying device 80.
The inlet flow path 85 may be provided to allow air passing through the inside of the tub 20 to be introduced into the drying device 80. The inlet flow path 85 may be located on the upper side of the tub 20. The inlet flow path 85 may be connected to an exhaust flow path P formed at the rear side of the tub 20.
The drying device 80 may include an inlet guide 84 connected to the tub 20. The inlet guide 84 may guide air discharged from the tub 20 to the inlet flow path 85. The inlet flow path 85 may communicate with the exhaust flow path P formed in the tub 20 through the inlet guide 84. Air passing through the exhaust flow path P may be introduced into the inlet flow path 85 of the drying device 80 through the inlet guide 84.
The filter 95 for filtering out foreign substances such as lint contained in air flowing from the tub 20 through the exhaust flow path P may be provided in the inlet flow path 85.
The air flowing into the inlet flow path 85 may pass through the filter 95 and then move to the heating flow path 86. The filter 95 may be located on a flow path through which the air flowing into the drying device 80 moves to the evaporator 93 and the condenser 92.
The condenser 92 and the evaporator 93 may be disposed on the heating flow path 86. Because the air flowing into the heating flow path 86 passes through the inside of the tub 20, the air may be humid. The humid air may be cooled in the evaporator 93 arranged in the heating flow path 86 and thus moisture contained in the humid air may be removed. The air from which moisture is removed in the evaporator 93 may be heated again by passing through the condenser 92.
The drying device 80 may include a nozzle device 96 for washing the condenser 92 and/or the evaporator 93. The nozzle device 96 may be disposed in the heating flow path 86. The nozzle device 96 may receive water from the water supply device 40 and spray the water toward the condenser 92 and/or the evaporator 93.
Meanwhile, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a drain line 97 for guiding water discharged from the drying device 80. The drain line 97 may guide condensed water generated in the heat exchanger of the drying device 80 to the outside of the drying device 80. The drain line 97 may guide washing water sprayed by the nozzle device 96 for washing the heat exchanger to the outside of the drying device 80. The drain line 97 may be connected to the drainage device 70.
Water discharged from the drying device 80 may flow to the drainage device 70 along the drain line 97. Water flowing into the drainage device 70 through the drain line 97 may be discharged to the outside of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
The supply flow path 87 may be provided to allow air, which is heated by passing through the condenser 92, to be supplied to the inside of the tub 20. The supply flow path 87 may communicate with the heating flow path 86 and may extend downward to discharge heated air toward the opening of the tub 20.
A supply fan 87a may be disposed in the supply flow path 87 to allow air to flow into the inside of the tub 20. That is, the supply fan 87a may be configured to supply air to laundry inside the drum 30. For example, the supply fan 87a may include a sirocco fan.
The inlet flow path 85, the heating flow path 86, and the supply flow path 87 may circulate air into the inside of the tub 20 and the drying device 80.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to allow air, which is discharged from the tub 20, to be supplied to the inside of the tub 20 by sequentially passing through the inlet flow path 85, the heating flow path 86, and the supply flow path 87 of the drying device 80 disposed above the tub 20.
Air that is heated in the drying device 80 may be supplied into the inside of the drum 30. In order to secure a region in which the heated air supplied into the inside of the drum 30 comes into contact with the laundry, a tub outlet 27 may be disposed at a position opposite to an air inlet 26 through which air heated in the drying device 80 is supplied to the tub 20. In order to increase a distance and/or time that the heated air flows inside the drum 30 so as to allow the air to come into contact with the laundry more, the tub outlet 27 may be disposed at a position opposite to the air inlet 26 through which air heated in the drying device 80 is supplied to the tub 20. The tub outlet 27 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the supply flow path 87 for supplying the heated air to the inside of the drum 30. By increasing an area in which the heated air comes into contact with the laundry, the drying efficiency may be improved.
The air inlet 26 and the tub outlet 27 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed so as to maximize the use of heated air provided from the drying device 80. For example, the air inlet 26 may be disposed adjacent to the front surface of the tub 20, and the tub outlet 27 may be disposed adjacent to the rear surface of the tub 20.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may further include the exhaust flow path P for allowing air discharged from the inside of the tub 20 to flow to the drying device 80. The exhaust flow path P may be provided to allow air discharged from the tub outlet 27 to flow to the inlet flow path 85 of the drying device 80. The exhaust flow path P may be provided to discharge moist air passing through the tub 20. For example, the exhaust flow path P may be disposed at the rear side of the tub 20.
The air inside the tub 20 may be discharged to a tub duct 28 through the tub outlet 27 formed at the rear surface of the tub 20. The air discharged to the tub duct 28 may flow along the exhaust flow path P and be supplied to the drying device 80.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include the tub duct 28 for forming at least a portion of the exhaust flow path P. For example, the tub duct 28 may be formed integrally with the tub 20. For example, the tub 20 may include the tub duct 28. The tub duct 28 may be provided to surround the tub outlet 27.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments may include a duct cover 29 for forming at least a portion of the exhaust flow path P. The duct cover 29 may be provided to cover an open rear surface of the tub duct 28. For example, the tub 20 may include the duct cover 29. The duct cover 29 may form at least a portion of the exhaust flow path P through which air discharged through the tub outlet 27 flows to the drying device 80.
In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to various embodiments, the exhaust flow path P may be formed as the duct cover 29 is coupled to the tub duct 28.
The tub duct 28 according to one embodiment may include a recessed portion 28a forming a portion of the exhaust flow path P through which air discharged from the inside of the tub 20 flows. A reinforcing rib 23 may be provided on the rear surface of the tub 20 to reinforce a strength of the tub 20, and the recessed portion 28a may be provided as a portion that is recessed from an end of the reinforcing rib 23 protruding from the rear surface of the tub 20. The recessed portion 28a may be provided as a portion, in which the reinforcing rib 23 is not formed, of the rear surface of the tub 20. The tub outlet 27 for discharging air from the inside of the tub 20 may be formed in the recessed portion 28a. The tub duct 28 may include a partition rib 28d provided along a periphery of the recessed portion 28a. On the rear surface of the tub 20, the partition rib 28d may define a region in which the reinforcing rib 23 is formed and a region in which the recessed portion 28a is formed.
The tub duct 28 according to one embodiment may include a duct connection portion 28b forming another portion of the exhaust flow path P through which air passing through the recessed portion 28a flows. The duct connection portion 28b may protrude outwardly from an outer circumferential surface of the tub 20. The duct connection portion 28b may protrude substantially upwardly from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 20.
The duct connection portion 28b may allow the drying device 80 to communicate with the recessed portion 28a. The duct connection portion 28b may be connected to the inlet guide 84 of the drying device 80. Together with the recessed portion 28a and the duct cover 29, the duct connection portion 28b may form a single passage forming the exhaust flow path P.
The duct connection portion 28b may be covered by the duct cover 29. One side of the duct connection portion 28b may be open. The duct cover 29 may cover the open side of the duct connection portion 28b.
The duct cover 29 may cover both the recessed portion 28a and the duct connection portion 28b. For example, the duct cover 29 may cover both the open side of the recessed portion 28a and the open side of the duct connection portion 28b. The exhaust flow path P may be formed by the duct cover 29 covering the recessed portion 28a and the duct connection portion 28b. For example, the duct cover 29 may cover only the recessed portion 28a.
The duct cover 29 may be provided to cover the open rear surface of the recessed portion 28a and/or the open rear surface of the duct connection portion 28b. The exhaust flow path P may be a single passage formed by the tub duct 28 and the duct cover 29.
The tub duct 28 may include a stepped portion 28c for expanding a cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path P. By the stepped portion 28c, the exhaust flow path P may be provided to allow a width of a portion formed by the duct connection portion 28b to be greater than a width of a portion formed in the recessed portion 28a.
A position of the water supply valves 41 and 42 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be determined by utilizing a space left by the mounting structure. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the water supply valves 41 and 42 may be mounted between the inlet guide 84 and the cooling fan 91a. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be disposed at the center of the rear surface of the drying device 80. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be disposed at the rear of the condenser 92. The water supply valves 41 and 42 may be disposed in a region separated from a path through which dry air flows. The position of the water supply valves 41 and 42 are not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a washing water heater 24. The washing water heater 24 may be disposed at the lower side of the tub 20 and heat the washing water during the wash. In addition, the water supply device 40 may supply a certain amount of water to the lower side of the tub 20 through the exhaust flow path P during the drying process. The washing water heater 24 may heat water, which is supplied into the inside of the tub 20 through the water supply device 40, the exhaust flow path P, and the tub outlet 27, to generate steam. That is, the steam generated by the water supply device 40 and the washing water heater 24 may come into contact with clothes during the drying process, thereby preventing wrinkles from being formed on the clothes as much as possible.
That is, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure corresponding to a washer-dryer combination, may include the washing water heater 24 for heating washing water, which is different from a conventional dryer. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may generate steam by using the washing water heater 24 and the water supply device 40 for cleaning the exhaust flow path P, so as to prevent wrinkles from forming on clothes during the drying process.
Referring to
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the damper 25 and/or the spring 105 connecting the housing 10 and the tub 20 to absorb a vibration that is generated by the rotation of the drum 30 and transmitted to the tub 20 and the housing 10. For example, the damper 25 may connect the lower portion of the tub 20 and the lower portion of the housing 10, and the spring 105 may connect the upper portion of the tub 20 and the upper portion of the housing 10. Although the clothes treating apparatus 1 is illustrated as including the damper 25 and the spring 105 in
The clothes treating apparatus 1 may include a weight balancer 107 configured to eliminate load imbalance caused by laundry. The weight balancer 107 may reduce a vibration that is generated from the drum 30 and transmitted to the tub 20. The weight balancer 107 may be provided in the tub 20. For example, the weight balancer 107 may be mounted on the outer surface of the tub 20. The weight balancer 107 may be provided on a front end and/or the outer circumferential surface of the tub 20. For example, the weight balancer 107 may include a housing and a mass disposed inside the housing, and may be provided so as to change an amount of the mass. The weight balancer 107 may be configured to apply a load to the tub 20 to attenuate the vibration of the tub 20.
Referring to
The housing 10 may include a frame 101 provided to cover at least one side of the tub 20, and a reinforcing bracket 103 for reinforcing the frame 101. For example, the frame 101 may be provided to cover the rear surface and the left and right surface of the tub 20. For example, the reinforcing bracket 103 may be disposed at an upper end of the frame 101. For example, the reinforcing bracket 103 may include a material having a higher strength than the frame 101. The first sensor device 110 may be mounted on the reinforcing bracket 103 of the housing 10. The first sensor bracket 112 may be fixed to the reinforcing bracket 103.
For example, the first sensor device 110 may be disposed at the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed above the tub 20. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed between the drying device 80 and the tub 20 with respect to the up and down direction. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed at the front end of the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed at the right front end of the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be mounted on the reinforcing bracket 103 disposed on the right side of the housing 10.
With the configuration, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may more accurately detect a vibration generated in the clothes treating apparatus 1 because the first sensor device 110 is provided at the upper portion, which relatively shakes more due to a vibration, rather than at the lower portion which is relatively stable while the vibration is generated. The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may more accurately detect a vibration generated in the clothes treating apparatus 1 because the first sensor device 110 is disposed at the upper right end of the housing 10 that is the optimal position for detecting a vibration that is generated in the clothes treating apparatus 1 and transmitted to the housing 10.
The housing 10 may include a housing fastening portion 103a for mounting the first sensor device 110. For example, the housing fastening portion 103a may be disposed on the reinforcing frame 103 of the housing 10. The housing fastening portion 103a may protrude from a surface that faces the inside of the housing 10. For example, the housing fastening portion 103a may be formed by bending a portion of the reinforcing frame 103.
The housing fastening portion 103a may include a housing fastening hole 103aa formed to allow a fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. The housing fastening hole 103aa may be formed by penetrating the housing fastening portion 103a.
The first sensor device 110 may include a first sensor 111 and a first sensor bracket 112 for mounting the first sensor 111.
The first sensor 111 may detect a vibration of the housing 10. The first sensor 111 may detect a vibration transmitted to the housing 10. For example, the first sensor 111 may detect a vibration generated in the drying device 80 and transmitted to the housing 10. For example, the first sensor 111 may detect a vibration generated in the compressor 91 or the supply fan 87a of the drying device 80 and transmitted to the housing 10. For example, the first sensor 111 may detect a vibration generated in the laundry door 17 and transmitted to the housing 10.
The first sensor bracket 112 may accommodate the first sensor 111. The first sensor 111 may be fixed to the first sensor bracket 112. The first sensor 111 may be mounted to the first sensor bracket 112, thereby being fixed to the housing 10.
The first sensor bracket 112 may include a first sensor accommodating portion 117 provided to accommodate and fix the first sensor 111. The first sensor accommodating portion 117 may be provided to accommodate the first sensor 111. The first sensor accommodating portion 117 may have a groove shape with one side open. The first sensor accommodating portion 117 may include a first sensor guide 117a for guiding the mounting of the first sensor 111. For example, the first sensor 111 may be fixed to the first sensor bracket 112 by applying resin or silicone in a state in which the first sensor 111 is mounted on the first sensor accommodating portion 117.
The first sensor bracket 112 may include a first bracket fastening portion 113. When the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10, the first bracket fastening portion 113 may be aligned with the housing fastening portion 103a of the housing 10. When the first bracket fastening portion 113 is aligned with the housing fastening portion 103a, the fastening member 130 may be fastened to the first bracket fastening portion 113 and the housing fastening portion 103a and thus the first sensor bracket 112 may be fixed to the housing 10.
The first bracket fastening portion 113 may include a first bracket fastening hole 113a formed to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. The first bracket fastening hole 113a may be formed by penetrating the first bracket fastening portion 113.
For example, the first bracket fastening portion 113 and the housing fastening portion 103a may be provided to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened in the front and rear direction. For example, the housing fastening hole 103aa of the housing fastening portion 103a may be formed to be penetrated in the front and rear direction, and correspondingly, the first bracket fastening hole 113a of the first bracket fastening portion 113 may be formed to be penetrated in the front and rear direction when the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10. When the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10, a fastening tool 140 may approach from the front and fasten the fastening member 130 to the housing fastening hole 103aa and the first bracket fastening hole 113a because the housing fastening hole 103aa and the first bracket fastening hole 113a are formed to be penetrated in the front and rear direction.
The first sensor bracket 112 may include a first coupling hole 115 formed to allow the housing fastening portion 103a to pass therethrough when the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10. For example, the first coupling hole 115 may be formed to be penetrated in the left and right direction when the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10. For example, the housing fastening portion 103a may have a rib shape, and the first coupling hole 115 may have a slit shape through which the housing fastening portion 103a having the rib shape passes. When the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10, the housing fastening portion 103a may pass through the first coupling hole 115 and be aligned with the bracket fastening portion 113.
With the configuration, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to allow the fastening tool 140 to approach and operate from the front of the first sensor device 110 when the first sensor device 110 is mounted in the housing 10. Accordingly, it is possible to easily maintain and/or repair the component without additionally disassembling other components.
Referring to
The second sensor device 120 may include a second sensor 121 and a second sensor bracket 122 for mounting the second sensor 121.
The second sensor 121 may detect a vibration of the tub 20. The second sensor 121 may detect a vibration transmitted to the tub 20. For example, the second sensor 121 may detect a vibration that is generated due to the rotation of the drum 30 and transmitted to the tub 20.
The second sensor bracket 122 may accommodate the second sensor 121. The second sensor 121 may be fixed to the second sensor bracket 122. The second sensor 121 may be mounted on the second sensor bracket 122 and fixed to the tub 20.
To share the components, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided in such a way that the first sensor bracket 112 and the second sensor bracket 122 include the same configuration.
For example, the second sensor bracket 122 may include a second sensor accommodating portion 127 provided to accommodate and fix the second sensor 121. The second sensor accommodating portion 127 may be provided to accommodate the second sensor 121. The second sensor accommodating portion 127 may include a second sensor guide 127a for guiding the mounting of the second sensor 121. For example, the second sensor 121 may be fixed to the second sensor bracket 122 by applying resin or silicone in a state in which the second sensor 121 is mounted on the second sensor accommodating portion 127.
The second sensor bracket 122 may include a second bracket fastening portion 123. The second bracket fastening portion 123 may include a second bracket fastening hole 123a formed to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. The second sensor bracket 122 may include a first coupling hole 125 formed to be penetrated.
The tub 20 may include a sensor fixing portion 20a for mounting the second sensor device 120. The sensor fixing portion 20a may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 20. The sensor fixing portion 20a may be provided to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. For example, a plurality of sensor fixing members 20a may be provided.
The second sensor bracket 122 may include a second tub coupling portion 128 provided to correspond to the sensor fixing portion 20a of the tub 20. The second tub coupling portion 128 may be provided to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. When the second tub coupling portion 128 is aligned with the sensor fixing portion 20a, the fastening member 130 may be fastened to the second tub coupling portion 128 and the sensor fixing portion 20a and thus the second sensor bracket 122 may be fastened to the tub 20.
The first sensor bracket 112 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to include the same configuration as the second sensor bracket 122. For example, the first sensor bracket 112 may include a first tub coupling portion 118 including the same configuration as the second tub coupling portion 128 of the second sensor bracket 122.
The tub 20 may include a sensor support portion 20b for supporting the second sensor device 120 when the second sensor device 120 is mounted. The sensor support portion 20b may be provided to allow the second sensor device 120 to be seated thereon. The sensor support portion 20b may protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the tub 20.
The clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided in such a way that the first sensor bracket 112 and the second sensor bracket 122 include the same configuration. Accordingly, it may have advantages in terms of inventory management and/or cost. For example, in the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first sensor bracket 112 may be mounted to the tub 20 and the second sensor bracket 122 may be mounted to the housing 10.
In the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tub 20 may be connected to the housing 10 through the damper 25. Accordingly, when a vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 30 is transmitted to the housing 10, the vibration may be attenuated. Accordingly, the vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 30 may be detected by the second sensor device 120 mounted on the tub 20, and a vibration generated in the drying device 80 may be detected by the first sensor device 110. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately detect the vibrations generated in various components of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
A structure in which a first sensor device 110 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted in a housing 10′ will be described with reference to
The housing 10′ of the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a frame 101 and a reinforcing bracket 203 for reinforcing the frame 101. The reinforcing bracket 203 may include a housing fastening portion 203a for mounting the first sensor device 110. The housing fastening portion 203a may protrude from a surface facing the inside of the housing 10′. For example, the housing fastening portion 203a may be formed by bending a portion of the reinforcing bracket 203.
The housing fastening portion 203a may include a housing fastening hole 203aa formed to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened thereto. The housing fastening hole 203aa may be formed by penetrating the housing fastening portion 203a.
The housing fastening portion 203a may be provided to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened in the up and down direction. For example, the first bracket fastening portion 113 and the housing fastening portion 103a may be provided to allow the fastening member 130 to be fastened in the up and down direction. For example, the housing fastening hole 203aa of the housing fastening portion 203a may be formed to be penetrated in the up and down direction, and correspondingly, the first bracket fastening hole 113a of the first bracket fastening portion 113 may be formed to be penetrated in the up and down direction when the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10′. When the first sensor bracket 112 is coupled to the housing 10′, a fastening tool 140 may approach from the front and fasten the fastening member 130 to the housing fastening hole 203aa and the first bracket fastening hole 113a because the housing fastening hole 203aa and the first bracket fastening hole 113a are formed to be penetrated in the up and down direction.
The first sensor bracket 112 of the first sensor device 10 illustrated in
Particularly, the first sensor bracket 112 illustrated in
With the configuration, the clothes treating apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to allow the fastening tool 140 to approach and operate from the upper side of the first sensor device 110 when the first sensor device 110 is mounted in the housing 10. Accordingly, it is possible to easily maintain and/or repair the component without additionally disassembling other components.
Referring to
The clothes treating apparatus 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to allow the first sensor device 110 to be disposed at an upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed above the tub 20. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed at a front end of the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed at a front left end of the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be mounted on a reinforcing bracket 103 provided at the left side of the housing 10.
Referring to
The clothes treating apparatus 3 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided to allow the first sensor device 110 to be disposed at an upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed above the tub 20. The first sensor device 110 may be disposed at a rear end of the upper end of the housing 10. The first sensor device 110 may be mounted on the rear end of a frame 101 of the housing 10.
Referring to
For example, the controller 300 may control the control panel 15, the driving device 36, the water supply device 40, the drain pump 71, the circulation pump 76, the drying device 80, and a communication interface 150. The controller 300 may be electrically connected to the first vibration sensor 111 and the second vibration sensor 121. In addition, the controller 300 may control the damper 25, a suspension 106, and the weight balancer 107 to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
The controller 300 may include a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 may include a volatile memory (e.g., Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., Read Only Memory (ROM), and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)). The processor 310 and the memory 320 may be implemented as separate chips or as a single chip. In addition, a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories may be provided. The processor 310 may process various data and various signals using instructions, data, programs, and/or software stored in the memory 320. The processor 310 may include one core or a plurality of cores. The processor 310 may generate a control signal for controlling elements of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
The control panel 15 may obtain various user inputs and output various information regarding the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control panel 15 may include an input interface 15a and an output interface 15b.
The input interface 15a may convert sensory information received from a user into an electrical signal. For example, the input interface 15a may include a power button, an operation button, a course selection dial (or a course selection button), and a washing/rinsing/spin-drying setting button. The input interface 15a may include a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and/or a microphone.
The output interface 15b may visually or audibly convey information related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to a user. For example, the output interface 15b may convey information related to a washing course and an operating time of the clothes treating apparatus 1, and washing settings/rinsing settings/spin-drying settings to a user. The information related to the operation of the clothes treating apparatus may be output by a screen, an indicator, a voice, etc. The output interface 15b may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, a speaker, etc.
The controller 300 may control the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user input obtained through the control panel 15. For example, the controller 300 may turn on or off the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user input for turning on or off the clothes treating apparatus 1. The controller 300 may determine the operation course of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user input for setting the operation course of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
The operation course of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be provided in various ways. For example, the operation courses of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be broadly classified into a washing course, a drying course, and a heat exchanger cleaning course.
The washing course may be provided in various ways according to the type of laundry (e.g., clothes, blanket, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., cotton, wool, nylon, etc.). For example, the washing course may include at least one of a normal course, a strong course, a delicate course, a blanket course, a baby clothes course, a towel course, a boil course, and an outdoor clothes course. Each of the plurality of washing courses may include different washing settings (e.g., washing temperature, number of rinses, spin-drying intensity, etc.). When one of the plurality of washing courses is selected through the control panel 15 or an external user device, the controller 300 may control the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform the washing process, the rinsing process, and the spin-drying process corresponding to the selected washing course. In addition, the washing course may include the rinsing and the spin-drying course excluding the washing process, the rinsing course, and the spin-drying course. The washing course is not limited thereto.
The drying course may also be provided in various ways according to the type of a drying target (e.g., clothes, blanket, underwear, etc.) and material (e.g., cotton, wool, nylon, etc.). For example, the drying course may include at least one of normal drying, strong drying, delicate clothes drying, blanket drying, baby clothes drying, towel drying, and outdoor clothes drying. Each of the plurality of drying courses may include different drying settings (e.g., drying temperature, drying time, etc.). When one of the plurality of drying courses is selected through the control panel 15 or an external user device, the controller 300 may control the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform a drying process corresponding to the selected drying course. The drying course is not limited thereto.
Meanwhile, the controller 300 may automatically perform cleaning of the heat exchanger 92 and 93 included in the drying device 80 before completing the drying process. The clothes treating apparatus 1 performs cleaning of the heat exchanger 92 and 93 every time the drying process is performed, thereby removing contamination (e.g., dust and lint) of the heat exchanger 92 and 93 and allowing the heat exchanger 92 and 93 to be managed cleanly. The cleaning of the heat exchanger may be performed for a predetermined heat exchanger cleaning time. The drying process may be terminated after the cleaning of the heat exchanger is completed.
The heat exchanger cleaning course may be provided for separately cleaning the heat exchanger 92 and 93 regardless of whether the drying process is performed or not. When the heat exchanger cleaning course is selected through the control panel 15 or an external user device, the controller 300 may perform cleaning of the heat exchanger 92 and 93.
The controller 300 may control the control panel 15 to output various information regarding the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1. For example, the control panel 15 may visually and/or audibly output information regarding the operation course, operating time, washing setting, rinsing setting, spin-drying setting, and/or drying setting of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The control panel 15 may output information regarding an abnormal condition of the clothes treating apparatus 1.
The driving device 36 may rotate the drum 30 under the control of the controller 300. The driving device 36 may include a driving motor 36a. The controller 300 may control the driving motor 36a to adjust a rotation speed of the drum 30.
The water supply device 40 may selectively supply water to the tub 20 and the nozzle device 96. The water supply device 40 may include the water supply pipes 43 and 44 connected to an external water source and the water supply valves 41 and 42 for opening or closing the water supply pipe. The water supply device 40 may include the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. As described above, the first water supply valve 41 may correspond to the hot water valve. The second water supply valve 42 may correspond to the cold water valve. The water supply pipes 43 and 44 may include a first water supply pipe corresponding to the hot water pipe 43 and a second water supply pipe corresponding to the cold water pipe 44.
The controller 300 may control the opening and closing of each of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. The controller 300 may adjust an opening degree of each of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42. The first water supply valve 41 may open or close the first water supply pipe based on an electrical signal transmitted from the controller 300. The second water supply valve 42 may open or close the second water supply pipe based on an electrical signal transmitted from the controller 300.
The water supply pipes 43 and 44 may form a water supply flow path for supplying water to the nozzle device 96. For example, the nozzle device 96 may be connected to the first water supply pipe and/or the second water supply pipe. When the nozzle device 96 is connected to the first water supply pipe, water may flow into the nozzle device 96 by opening the first water supply valve 41. When the nozzle device 96 is connected to the second water supply pipe, water may flow into the nozzle device 96 by opening the second water supply valve 41.
The drain pump 71 may discharge water inside the tub 20 to the outside of the housing 10. The controller 300 may control the drain pump 71 to allow the water of the tub 20 to be discharged to the outside through the drain pipe 73.
The circulation pump 76 may send water of the tub 20 to the lower detergent supply device 60. Water passing through the circulation pump 76 and the lower detergent supply device 60 may return to the tub 20. The controller 300 may control the circulation pump 76 to allow the water of the tub 20 to circulate through the lower detergent supply device 60.
The drying device 80 may remove moisture contained in the air, heat the air, and supply the heated air to the tub 20. The controller 300 may operate the drying device 80 to dry the laundry stored inside the drum 30. To generate dried and heated air, the drying device 80 may include the fan 87a, the compressor 91, the heat exchanger 92 and 93, and the expansion valve.
The controller 300 may control the fan 87a, the compressor 91, and the expansion valve included in the drying device 80. The controller 300 may operate the fan 87a to allow the dried and heated air to be supplied into the drum 30. The controller 300 may adjust the rotation speed of the fan 87a. The flow rate of the air supplied into the drum 30 may vary according to the rotation speed of the fan 87a.
The compressor 91 compresses a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant and discharges a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. For example, the compressor 91 may compress the refrigerant through reciprocating motion of a piston or rotary motion of a rotor. The discharged gaseous refrigerant may be delivered to the condenser 92. The controller 300 may adjust an operating frequency and/or revolutions per minute (RPM) of the compressor 91. As the operating frequency and/or the RPM of the compressor 91 increase, the heat released around the condenser 92 may increase. The controller 300 may adjust the opening degree of the expansion valve. The expansion valve may be provided as a capillary tube for adjusting the pressure of the liquid refrigerant and an electronic expansion valve in which an opening degree is adjusted by an electric signal. The low-temperature and low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that passes through the expansion valve is introduced into the evaporator 93.
The controller 300 may control the water supply device 40 to clean the heat exchanger 92 and 93 of the drying device 80. The controller 300 may control at least one of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42 included in the water supply device 40 to clean the heat exchanger. Water may be sprayed from the nozzle device 96 to the heat exchanger 92 and 93 according to the opening of at least one of the first water supply valve 41 and the second water supply valve 42.
The damper 25 may absorb a vibration generated when the drum 30 rotates and attenuate the vibration transmitted to the housing 10. The damper 25 may be provided as an electronically controlled damper. The damper 25 may be electrically connected to the controller 300. The controller 300 may adjust a damping coefficient of the damper 25. As the damping coefficient of the damper 25 is adjusted, the vibration of the housing 10 may increase or decrease when the drum 30 rotates.
The suspension 106 may be provided as an electronically controlled suspension or an air suspension. The suspension 106 may replace the spring 105 described above. The suspension 106 may absorb a vibration generated when the drum 30 rotates and attenuate the vibration transmitted to the housing 10. The suspension 106 may be electrically connected to the controller 300. The controller 300 may adjust a damping force of the suspension 106. As the damping force of the suspension 106 is adjusted, the vibration of the housing 10 may increase or decrease when the drum 30 rotates.
The weight balancer 107 may eliminate a load imbalance caused by laundry accommodated in the drum 30. In addition, the weight balancer 107 may reduce the vibration of the tub 20. The weight balancer 107 may be electrically connected to the controller 300. The controller 300 may adjust the weight and the center of gravity of the weight balancer 107. For example, the weight balancer 107 may be filled with a fluid such as water or a spherical solid. The weight balancer 107 may include a plurality of movable partitions forming a plurality of compartments therein. The fluid or solid may be injected into at least one of the plurality of compartments. The weight and the center of gravity of the weight balancer 107 may change depending on which of the plurality of compartments the fluid or solid is injected into. As the weight and center of gravity of the weight balancer 107 change, the vibration of the tub 20 may increase or decrease.
The first sensor 111 may be referred to as a first vibration sensor. The first vibration sensor 111 may detect a vibration of the housing 10 and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the vibration of the housing 10 to the controller 300. The first vibration sensor 111 may transmit a first vibration value of the housing 10 to the controller 300. The controller 300 may also determine the first vibration value of the housing 10 based on the electrical signal transmitted from the first vibration sensor 111. The vibration of the housing 10 may occur as various devices of the clothes treating apparatus 1 operate. For example, the vibration generated by the drum 30 and/or the drying device 80 may be transmitted to the housing 10.
The second sensor 121 may be referred to as a second vibration sensor. The second vibration sensor 121 may detect a vibration of the tub 20 and transmit an electrical signal corresponding to the vibration of the tub 20 to the controller 300. The second vibration sensor 121 may transmit a second vibration value of the tub 20 to the controller 300. The controller 300 may also determine the second vibration value of the tub 20 based on the electrical signal transmitted from the second vibration sensor 121. The vibration of the tub 20 may be generated by the rotation of the drum 30.
The controller 300 may perform vibration reduction control based on at least one of the first vibration value of the housing 10 and the second vibration value of the tub 20. For example, the controller 300 may perform the vibration reduction control based on the first vibration value of the housing 10 being greater than a predetermined first threshold value. The controller 300 may perform the vibration reduction control based on the second vibration value of the tub 20 being greater than a predetermined second threshold value. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be the same or different, and may be changed according to the design. For example, when the drum 30 rotates at a relatively high rotation speed in the spin-drying process, the vibration value of at least one of the housing 10 and the tub 20 may exceed the threshold value.
The vibration reduction control may include controlling at least one of the driving motor 36a, the damper 25, the suspension 106, and the weight balancer 107. For example, in order to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1, the controller 300 may control the driving motor 36a to reduce the rotation speed of the drum 30, or control the driving motor 36a to stop the rotation of the drum 30. In order to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1, the controller 300 may increase or decrease the damping coefficient of the damper 25. The controller 300 may increase or decrease the damping force of the suspension 106. The controller 300 may increase or decrease the weight of the weight balancer 107. The controller 300 may change the center of gravity of the weight balancer 107.
The controller 300 may control the control panel 15 to visually and/or audibly output the vibration information of the clothes treating apparatus 1. The vibration information of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may include at least one of first vibration information of the housing 10 and second vibration information of the tub 20. The vibration information may include at least one of the first vibration value of the housing 10 and the second vibration value of the tub 20. The first vibration value of the housing 10 and the second vibration value of the tub 20 may be expressed in hertz (Hz). In addition, the vibration information may include information about the vibration reduction control performed based on at least one of the first vibration value of the housing 10 and the second vibration value of the tub 20.
The controller 300 may control the control panel 15 to visually and/or audibly output noise information corresponding to the vibration of the housing 10 and/or the vibration of the tub 20. The noise information may include a first noise value corresponding to a first vibration value of the housing 10 and a second noise value corresponding to a second vibration value of the tub 20. The first noise value of the housing 10 and the second noise value of the tub 20 may be expressed in decibels (dB).
The controller 300 may identify a user's knock pattern based on the first vibration value of the housing 10. The controller 300 may control various devices of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform operations corresponding to the user's knock pattern. For example, the controller 300 may open or close at least one of the door 17 and the detergent box based on the user's knock pattern. The controller 300 may pause or resume the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user's knock pattern. The controller 300 may wake up the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user's knock pattern. The controller 300 may turn on the display of the control panel 15 based on the user's knock pattern.
In addition, the controller 300 may control the control panel 15 to visually and/or audibly output information about the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 corresponding to the user's knock pattern.
The communication interface 150 may include various communication circuits for performing wired communication and/or wireless communication with external devices (e.g., servers, user devices, and/or other home appliances). The user devices may include various electronic devices such as a smartphone, a notebook, a laptop, a smart watch, a stationary tablet, and a speaker. A user input may be obtained through the user device as well as the control panel 15.
The communication interface 150 may include at least one of a short-range communication circuit and a long-range communication circuit. The communication interface 150 may transmit data to an external device or receive data from an external device. For example, the communication interface 150 may support cellular communication, a wireless local area network, a home radio frequency (Home RF), infrared communication, ultra-wide band (UWB) communication, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, Bluetooth, AD-HOC, and/or Zigbee. The communication technologies supported by the communication interface 150 are not limited thereto.
The communication interface 150 may also communicate with an external device through an access point (AP). The access point may connect a local area network (LAN) to which the clothes treating apparatus 1 is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The clothes treating apparatus 1 may be connected to the server through the wide area network (WAN).
Referring to
Referring to
The controller 300 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may control at least one of the driving motor 36a, the damper 25, the suspension 106, and the weight balancer 107 to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the first vibration value of the housing 10 exceeding a predetermined first threshold value (1805). The controller 300 may control at least one of the driving motor 36a, the damper 25, the suspension 106, and the weight balancer 107 to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the second vibration value exceeding a predetermined second threshold value (1805).
For example, in order to reduce the vibration of the clothes treating apparatus 1, the controller 300 may control the driving motor 36a to lower the rotation speed of the drum 30 or control the driving motor 36a to stop the rotation of the drum 30. The controller 300 may increase or decrease the damping coefficient of the damper 25. The controller 300 may increase or decrease the damping force of the suspension 106. The controller 300 may increase or decrease the weight of the weight balancer 107. The controller 300 may change the center of gravity of the weight balancer 107.
In addition, the controller 300 of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may provide vibration information of the clothes treating apparatus 1 through the control panel 15 and/or the user device (1806). The vibration information of the clothes treating apparatus 1 may be provided using at least one of text, image, and sound.
Referring to
The controller 300 may perform an operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 corresponding to the user's knock pattern (1902). The controller 300 may control various devices of the clothes treating apparatus 1 to perform an operation corresponding to the user's knock pattern. For example, the controller 300 may open or close at least one of the door 17 and the detergent box based on the user's knock pattern. In addition, the controller 300 may pause or resume the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user's knock pattern. The controller 300 may wake up the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user's knock pattern. The controller 300 may turn on the display of the control panel 15 based on the user's knock pattern.
Referring to
In response to the user's knock pattern not corresponding to the first pattern, the controller 300 may determine whether the knock pattern corresponds to a second pattern (e.g., knock/tap twice) (2004). The controller 300 may close the door 17 based on the user's knock pattern corresponding to the second pattern (2005).
In response to the user's knock pattern not corresponding to the first pattern and the second pattern, the controller 300 may determine whether the user's knock pattern corresponds to a third pattern (e.g., knock/tap three times) (2006). Based on the user's knock pattern corresponding to the third pattern, the controller 300 may pause or resume the operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 (2007).
In response to the user's knock pattern not corresponding to the first pattern, the second pattern, and the third pattern, the controller 300 may determine whether the user's knock pattern corresponds to a fourth pattern (e.g., knock/tap twice or more times within a short period of time) (2008). The controller 300 may open the detergent box based on the user's knock pattern corresponding to the third pattern (2009).
The operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 corresponding to the user's knock pattern is not limited thereto. For example, the controller 300 may wake up the clothes treating apparatus 1 based on the user's knock pattern corresponding to a fifth pattern. The controller 300 may also turn on the display of the control panel 15 based on the user's knock pattern corresponding to a sixth pattern. The operation of the clothes treating apparatus 1 corresponding to the user's knock pattern may also be changed according to the user's settings.
The clothes treating apparatus according to one embodiment includes the housing including the laundry inlet, the tub in the housing to store washing water, the drying device above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub by heating the discharged air, and to supply the heated air to the tub, the first sensor coupled to the upper right end of the housing to detect a vibration of the housing, and the second sensor coupled to the tub to detect a vibration of the tub.
The clothes treating apparatus may further include the first sensor bracket fixed to the housing. The first sensor may be coupled to the first sensor bracket.
The housing may include the housing fastening portion. The first sensor bracket may include the first bracket fastening portion. The first bracket fastening portion may be fixed to the housing fastening portion by a fastening member to couple the first sensor bracket to the housing, and so that the housing fastening portion and the first bracket fastening portion may be aligned with each other.
The housing fastening portion and the first bracket fastening portion may be configured to receive the fastening member in the front and rear direction or the up and down direction.
The housing fastening portion may include the housing fastening hole formed to be penetrated in a front and rear direction. The first bracket fastening portion may include the first bracket fastening hole formed to be penetrated in the front and rear direction based on the first sensor bracket being coupled to the housing.
The housing fastening portion may include the housing fastening hole formed to be penetrated in an up and down direction. The first bracket fastening portion may include the first bracket fastening hole formed to be penetrated in the up and down direction based on the first sensor bracket being coupled to the housing.
The first sensor bracket may include the coupling hole through which the housing fastening portion passes based on the first sensor bracket being coupled to the housing.
The first sensor bracket may include the first sensor accommodating portion in which the first sensor is accommodated and fixed.
The housing may include the frame configured to cover at least one side of the tub, and the reinforcing bracket configured to reinforce the frame. The first sensor bracket may be coupled to the reinforcing bracket.
The first sensor may be coupled to the upper end of the housing above the tub.
The first sensor may be between the drying device and the tub with respect to an up and down direction.
The first sensor may be coupled to the front end of the upper end of the housing.
The clothes treating apparatus may further include the door configured to open and close the laundry inlet. The first sensor may be configured to detect a vibration generated from the door and transmitted to the housing.
The first sensor may be configured to detect a vibration generated from the drying device and transmitted to the housing.
The clothes treating apparatus may further include the second sensor bracket fixed to the tub. The second sensor may be coupled to the second sensor bracket. The second sensor bracket may have a same configuration as the first sensor bracket.
The clothes treating apparatus according to one embodiment may include the housing in which the laundry inlet is formed, the tub disposed in the housing and provided to store washing water, the drum disposed inside the tub to be rotatable, the drying device disposed above the tub and configured to remove moisture from air discharged from the tub, and configured to supply heated air to the tub, the first sensor disposed in the housing to detect a vibration generated from the drum and transmitted to the housing or a vibration generated from the drying device and transmitted to the housing; and the first sensor bracket in which the first sensor is mounted, the first sensor bracket fixed to the front end on the upper end of the housing.
The housing may include the housing fastening portion. The first sensor bracket may include the first bracket fastening portion. The first sensor bracket may be fixed to the housing as the fastening member is fastened to the housing fastening portion and the first bracket fastening portion based on the first sensor bracket being coupled to the housing to allow the housing fastening portion and the first bracket fastening portion to be aligned with each other.
The housing fastening portion and the first bracket fastening portion may be provided to allow the fastening member to be fastened in the front and rear direction or the up and down direction.
The housing may include the frame configured to cover at least one side of the tub, and the reinforcing bracket configured to reinforce the frame. The first sensor bracket may be fixed to the reinforcing bracket.
The clothes treating apparatus may further include the second sensor disposed in the tub to detect a vibration of the tub, and the second sensor bracket on which the second sensor is mounted, the second sensor bracket fixed to the tub. The second sensor bracket may be provided to include the same configuration as the first sensor bracket.
The clothes treating apparatus according to one embodiment may include the controller electrically connected to the first sensor and the second sensor.
The controller may perform the vibration reduction control based on at least one of the first vibration value of the housing detected by the first sensor and the second vibration value of the tub detected by the second sensor.
The controller may control at least one of the driving motor, the damper, the suspension and the weight balancer to reduce the vibration of at least one of the housing and the tub.
The controller may control the control panel to output vibration information of the clothes treating apparatus based on at least one of the first vibration value of the housing and the second vibration value of the tub.
The controller may identify the user's knock pattern based on the first vibration value of the housing.
The controller may open or close the door based on the user's knocking pattern.
The controller may open or close the detergent box based on the user's knocking pattern.
The controller may pause or resume the operation of the clothes treating apparatus based on the user's knocking pattern.
The controller may wake up the clothes treating apparatus based on the user's knocking pattern.
The controller may turn on the display of the control panel based on the user's knocking pattern.
As is apparent from the above description, a clothes treating apparatus may include a first sensor device mounted on a housing and a second sensor device mounted on a tub, thereby more accurately detecting a vibration generated in the clothes treating apparatus.
As is apparent from the above description, a clothes treating apparatus may facilitate maintenance and/or repair of components because a direction of fastening of a fastening member for mounting a first sensor device to a housing is set in a direction that is easily accessible to a worker.
Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.
Storage medium readable by machine, may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. “Non-transitory” means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic wave), and this term includes a case in which data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and a case in which data is temporarily stored in a storage medium.
The method according to the various disclosed embodiments may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. Computer program products are distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or are distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or created temporarily in a device-readable storage medium such as the manufacturer's server, the application store's server, or the relay server's memory.
While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2024-0002517 | Jan 2024 | KR | national |
| 10-2024-0051710 | Apr 2024 | KR | national |
This application is a continuation application of International Application No. PCT/KR2024/020732, filed on Dec. 19, 2024, which is based on and claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0002517, filed on Jan. 5, 2024, and Korean Patent Application Number 10-2024-0051710, filed on Apr. 17, 2024, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2024/020732 | Dec 2024 | WO |
| Child | 19012430 | US |
